Circular Economy Innovations in Construction and International Networking:Helsinki Participates in Expo Real in Munich

Helsinki took part in the real estate industry’s Expo Real fair in Munich together with Finland’s largest construction companies and other cities. Innovative circular economy companies that joined the trip gained new momentum for international growth.

Categories: Circular Economy, General Published:
The Helsinki-led circular economy–themed exhibition stand attracted a lot of attention.

This text was translated with the help of AI.

Expo Real, the largest real estate event in Europe, is held annually in Munich, Germany. This year, the fair brought together over 1,700 exhibitors and 42,000 participants from more than 70 countries. The joint exhibition stand of Helsinki, YIT, and NCC focused on circular economy in construction, with Helsinki’s Circular Economy Cluster playing a major role. The stand also featured the upcoming idea and implementation competition for the Hanasaari power plant area, where circular economy will play a significant part.

The stand featured a circular economy–focused program. Lari Sirén, Project Manager of the Circular Economy Cluster Program, presented circular innovations developed in Helsinki and the city’s collaboration with companies. Participating companies also had the opportunity to showcase their own solutions.

Representatives from the cities of Tampere, Turku, and Porvoo joined Helsinki’s stand, alongside innovative companies involved in the Helsinki Circular Economy Cluster: Make A BIM, which focuses on AI-assisted use of BIM models; nolla_E, which promotes the reuse of building services systems; and AMP Companies Ltd, which is actively developing a marketplace for circular economy solutions.

A Step Toward International Markets

The Helsinki stand was lively throughout the fair, and the events organized there attracted large audiences. The circular economy theme sparked strong interest among European real estate professionals.

The event offered companies traveling with the Helsinki Circular Economy Cluster an opportunity to internationalize, explore the European real estate market, and discover its latest innovations. Discussions held during the fair led to follow-up meetings and potential collaborations.

“We gained many relevant contacts, and there seems to be significant demand for our solution in Germany. I believe these discussions will lead to business opportunities there. The fair was an excellent starting boost for nolla_E’s entry into the German market. Being located in a popular stand together with the city and major construction companies further improved our chances,” said Nikolas Salomaa from nolla_E.

The stand included companies developing circular economy–based business models: Make a BIM, nolla_E, and AMP Companies Ltd.

“I’m very pleased with the collaboration with our company partners. It’s important that the city participates in the fair side by side with the companies operating in this field,” said Lari Sirén, Project Manager of the Helsinki Circular Economy Cluster.

Helsinki Recognized as a Leader in Circular Construction

The Helsinki exhibition stand was opened by Deputy Mayor for Urban Environment Johanna Laisaari. Participation in the fair was significant in light of Helsinki’s new City Strategy 2025–2029, which identifies the promotion of circular construction as one of the city’s economic policy priorities. The strategy emphasizes the role of circular economy in sustainable urban development and highlights the city’s responsibility to act as a frontrunner in accelerating circular construction solutions.

The stand showcased the activities of the Helsinki Circular Economy Cluster program. Particular interest was drawn by the storage building constructed on Mustikkamaa, built entirely from reused construction components — a project unique even on a global scale. The fair also featured upcoming real estate and area development projects from Finnish cities, as well as trends in Finland’s real estate sector. The idea and implementation competition for the Hanasaari power plant building also drew attention; the competition will be held in 2025 and aims to redevelop the Hanasaari area.

A major attraction at the stand was a large map of Helsinki, highlighting ongoing and upcoming real estate projects as well as the Hanasaari area.

“The Hanasaari competition attracted a lot of interest. The site is unique both because of the power plant building and its central location, making it exceptional even by international standards. Circular economy was seen at the fair as an essential part of the project,” said Päivi Hietanen, Project Director for Hanasaari.

“The internal cooperation between city departments in planning and executing the fair was excellent. The combination of circular economy and the Hanasaari power plant area presented Helsinki as a dynamic and genuinely attractive destination for investment and business,” added Sirén.

The goal was to achieve the highest possible reuse rate for the exhibition stand, which this year reached 81.8%. Many of the stand’s structures and furnishings had been used in previous years and will be reused again next year.

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